It’s been a notable theme in television for quite some time. Shows like *The Phil Silvers Show* and even more serious dramas such as *M*A*S*H* feature a motley crew of characters navigating military life. This concept of quirky individuals facing military absurdities is at the heart of the new drama, *Boots*.
Boots: Stream or Skip?
Opening shot: A teenager named Cameron sits in a Marine recruitment office in 1990. The recruiter asks, “Cameron, why do you want to be a Marine?”
Key points: Cameron Cope (played by Miles Heizer) has faced bullying for years, whether due to his sexual orientation or because he just doesn’t fit in with his classmates. His family, particularly his mother Barbara (Vera Farmiga) and younger brother Benji (Ivan Hoey Jr.), urge him to be more “manly.”
Feeling like he has an “angel on his shoulder”—his authentic self—Cameron decides to join the Marines after his best friend Ray McAfee (Liam Orr) drops out of the Air Force Academy and expresses his intentions to enlist. “I need a change in my life, sir. I want to be someone else,” he tells the recruiter.
Cameron’s journey begins as he boards a bus to Marine Corps Basic Training in Parris Island, South Carolina. He and Ray mentioned their plans to Barbara, but she was too distracted to realize they were leaving for good.
In the context of 1990, being openly gay in the Marine Corps poses serious challenges, which directly conflicts with the internal urge Cameron feels to embrace his true self. Upon arrival, they are met with harsh discipline from drill instructors Staff Sergeant Marcus McKinnon (Cedric Cooper), Sergeant Howitt (Nicholas Logan), and Sergeant Knox (Zach Roerig).
On his very first day, Cameron starts to regret his decision amidst the bullying, but then he notices recruit Isaiah Nash (Dominic Goodman). Meanwhile, after an altercation involving Ray, who is sent home, the post commander, Captain Dennis Fajardo (Ana Ayora), assigns the intense Sergeant Sullivan (Max Parker) to take over drill instruction.
Which show do you remember? Created by Andy Parker and inspired by Greg Cope White’s book *Pink Marine*, *Boots* has a familiar vibe, reminiscent of past military comedies, yet it carries a grittier undertone akin to *Full Metal Jacket*.
Our view: *Boots* chronicles a typical drama narrative about a band of misfit recruits overcoming military hurdles while also evolving personally. The genre thrives on characters who aren’t just stereotypical soldier types; they often bring contrasting personalities that, ironically, make the military setting more relatable and entertaining.
We anticipate that Cameron will face significant struggles at Parris Island, especially as he grapples with hiding his sexuality. The dynamic with Ray is likely to be strained. The drill instructors seem intent on breaking down their recruits to forge them back into soldiers.
What sets *Boots* apart? Well, it’s intriguing to ponder how Cameron will navigate being gay in the Marines during a time when policies (like “don’t ask, don’t tell”) were nonexistent. He senses that other recruits share his struggle and that there are unspoken attractions among them that have to be kept secret. Cameron wishes to reinvent himself, but how much of that transformation is a reaction to his past bullying, or the necessity of concealing his identity?
As training progresses, we’ll see more of Cam and Ray’s development. Other recruits, like brothers John and Cody Bowman (Blake Bart, Brandon Tyler Moore), have their own backstories, but we only get hints of their personalities so far, leaving room for growth and development.
Gender and skin: There’s a memorable scene where Cam notices certain dynamics in the shower.
Parting shot: Sergeant Sullivan looks directly at Cameron and says, “It’s time to kill the enemy,” suggesting that he will challenge Cameron further.
Sleeper Star: Vera Farmiga has a brief role as Cam’s mother Barbara, providing levity in her interactions as she advocates for her son amidst the military backdrop.
The most pilot-like line: Can you believe that doing just three pull-ups in a Marine strength test means you can stay in training? Not that I’d ever be able to manage three myself, but it seems oddly low, doesn’t it?
Our call: Let’s stream. Yes, *Boots* has elements similar to past “military misfit” comedies that have been popular for years. But what really catches the eye here are the characters, and there are plenty of them to keep things engaging.
